NOS Football•
Sarina Wiegman has been appointed ‘Honorary Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ (DBE) by the British King Charles for her exceptional contribution to football.
The 56-year-old Dutch woman won the European Championship for the second time last summer as national coach of the English football players.
Wiegman is only the third non-Brit from the sports world to receive the honor. Brazilian footballer Pelé (1997) and Belgian former IOC president Jacques Rogge (2014) preceded her.
Lady in status, not in name
Wiegman’s award is given to persons who do not have British nationality, but who have made an exceptional contribution to the United Kingdom.
They can be knighted, but may not use the title Sir or Dame.
“When I arrived in England, I could never have imagined that I would receive so much respect and warmth from the English. I am extremely grateful to the fans for their support,” Wiegman said in a response.
In addition to Wiegman, players Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh also received a – lower – royal award for their performances with the England team.
Full trophy cabinet
In mid-December, Wiegman was the first woman to be named Coach of the Year in the Netherlands at the NOC* NSF Sports Gala.
Wiegman was the first woman elected Coach of the Year: ‘Come girls, start coaching’
She was also honored as British coach of the year at the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
From the football world, she received the FIFA award for the best coach in the world in women’s football for the fifth time, an award she also won at the Golden Ball Gala.
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